August 27, 2009

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and the Philippines, Singapore Post and Philippines Post will release a joint stamp issue featuring five significant bridges in Singapore and the Philippines. The theme, ‘Bridges’ is chosen to signify the strong, multi-faceted ties between both countries.

The Cavenagh Bridge built in 1868, featured on the $0.65 stamp is the oldest bridge on the Singapore River. Built to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Crown Colony of the Straits Settlement, it was converted to a pedestrian bridge.

The Bamban Bridge featured on the 1st local stamp, crossing the Sacobia-Bamban River system, along the MacArthur Highway between Mabalacat, Pampanga and Bamban, Tarlac, is one of the modern and sleek-looking bridges in the Philippines. The bridge’s arch has a span of 174 metres and contains 1,400 tons of steel. Completed around 1998, it is the longest bridge of its type in the world.The Marcelo Fernan Bridge depicted on the $1.10 stamp is an extradosed cable-stayed bridge located in Metro Cebu. It spans across Mactan Channel connecting Cebu Island to Mactan Island. Opened in August 1999. The bridge has a total length of 1237 metres with a centre span of 185 metres. This bridge is one of the widest and longest bridge span in the Philppines, and is named after Senator Marcelo Fernan from Cebu City.

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Classifications

A bridge is a structure built to span a gorge, valley, road, railroad track, river, body of water, or any other physical obstacle, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle. Designs of bridges will vary depending on the function of the bridge and the nature of the terrain where the bridge is to be constructed.

A viaduct is a structure sometimes considerable, composed of arches or spans many and raised, sometimes on several stages of vaults, and intended to cross great spaces, valleys, large ravines etc.

An aqueduct (occasionally water bridge) applies to any bridge or viaduct that transports water - instead of a path, road or railway - across a gap.

A culvert is a very small arch bridge of less 6m of opening, comprising only two supports and usually built on a small ravine, a brook etc.